Playing ball



G. L. PIERCE PLAYING BALL March 12,A 1929.

Filed April 19, 1928 Patented M-ar. 12, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

rasta GEORGE L. `PIERCE, or'BRooKLYN, NEW YORK, AssienoR' ro A. e.SPALDING e EROS.,

-oE NEW YORK, N. Y., A coRroRA'rioN or NEW JERSEY.

' y PLAYING BALL.

Application filed April 19 The invention relates tol playing ball ofVthe type in which an inflatable rubber bladder is inclosed in a case orcover of leather or similar material, and more especially to the type inwhich ythe bladder has a valved inflating nipple which hasscrew-threaded engagement with a bushing or thimble secured to thecover.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a structureby which the bushing and inflating nipple may be located on the line ofa seam joining separate pieces of the cover material. Y

The invention is of particular importance in connection with playingballs in which a seam lies at the point directly opposite the coveropening by which the bladder is in` sei-ted, as it is advantageous insome` cases to locate the inflating stem 'exactly opposite the coveropening in order to give the ball perfect playing balance.

The invention is also applicable in other locations, since the principleof placing the inflating stem on a seam, avoids' the weakening of thecover which results from punching` a hole in the middle of a piece ofcover matcrial.

My invention provides means for locating the inflation device directlyin line with the seam; lthat is, in a position intersecting the seam andin a manner which does not weaken the seam but on the contrary providesfor substantial reinforcement voffthe seam and casing adjacent theinfiation device.

principal feature of the invention structureis the provision of a fillerpiece which subustantially bridges the seam and affords a proper basefor receiving and retaining the inflation bushing or thimble ata'point'di` rectly in line with or intersecting the seam, opposite thelace opening. i

The characteristics and'advantages of the invention are furthersufficiently explained in connection with the following detaildescription of the? accompanying drawing, which shows representativeembodiments. After considering these examples, skilled persons willunderstand that manyvariations may be made without departing from theprinciples disclosed, and I contemplate the employment of any structuresthat are properly within the scope of the appended claims. Y

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a ball of the class above referred to, from thelace `opening side.

, 1928. lSerial No. 271,210.

Fig. 211s a plan View from the opposite side'of the ball showing theinvention structure.

Fig. 3 is a section at 3-3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a similar' section of a slightly modified structure.

Fig. 5 is a section at 5 5, Fig. 2, representing the structure of either1 Fig. 3 or Fig. 4. n v

The ball cover or casing C consists usually of an outer layer, or coverproper, L, usually of leather, and a lining M, usually of canvas. Thecasing is made in a plurality of gores or sections such as 1, theVadjacent edges of which are turned. inward and secured by stitching,forming seams 2. These seams project substantially inward at the innersurface of the cover as shownin Figs. 5? and 4. i At one side of theball is the usual lace opening structure 3 to permit insertion of thebag or bladder 4, Fig. 5. Atthe side directly opposite thelace openingthe casv ing usually has a seam 2a. The. bladder 4 as provided for ballsof this class, has at one side an inflation nipple 5' and a bushing orthimble has heretofore been `inserted in one of the gores or sections1a, atthe side of the bag opposite the lace opening; and because of thefact that no means has heretofore been provided for locating thisbushing directly in line with orina positionintersecting the seam suchas 2a, it has beeninserted through one of the ysections' or gores suchvas A l, at a point close ltobut at one sideof the seam.

I provide a casing inflation fitting or bushing structure which initself yis substantially like that disclosed in Patent No. 1,618,994@.March 1, 1927 to myself and Henry V. Rau, comprising a bushingorthimble 10, interiorly screw-threaded and having at thev inner end aflange 11 with opposite flat sides 12. The bushing is secured to a patch13 of leather or other suitable material byins'erting it through anopening in the bag and placing a washer 14- over the neck of thebushing. ,Y The washer has prongs 15 which `are forced tluough theleather patch. and arethen located adjacent the flat sides 12 of flange11. The upper vend of the bushing neck is then "spun. or pressed overagainst the washer to form a iiange 16.

To provide 'for properly attaching the bushing structure to the casingdirectly in line with the seam, a hole is cut through the casing andthrough the seam 2a, and a base or filler piece 2O of suitable material,such as leather of substantial thickness,is located against the innerface of the casing.

This base when in a single piece, as shown in Fig. 3, 1s provided with achannel 2l to accommodate the inwardly projecting seam, so that theouter 'race of the filler or base piece 2O lies iiat'against the innerface of the casing or the canvas lining thereoi. The inner tace of thebase piece is also cut away sulliciently to accommodate projecting partsof the bushing structure or more particularly the washer 14 and shallowIilange 16 constituting the outer end of the bushing, and Vis thenpositioned for screwing into it theV nozzle of an intiating' pump.

`projecting Aseam structure 2a.

Normally the tubular bushing is closed by screw plug25 which enters thenipple 5 and the head otwhich is substantially flush with the outersurface of the casing.

The base or filler instead of being in a single piece as shown in Fig.5, may be intwo pieces ,20a as shown in Fig. 4, and in that case theinward edges of theV filler pieces abut against'the outer faces of theinward- The bushing structure and filler pie-ces are secured to thecasing in the same manner, namely, `by the circular Irow ofstitching 22.

By thedescribed structure orarrangement the inflation `bushing vislocated at apoint diametrically opposite the lace opening 3, and

iffoaoee the ball is thus kept in true rotative balance and at the sametime the seam 2ab 1s remforced at and about the opening whichaccommodates the inflation bushing.

with a hole intersecting the seam, `and an initiating `bushingsecured tothe inner side of the cover in alinement with thehole.

2. A playing ball comprising acover having a plurality ofsections, theedges of adjacent sections being turned inwardly and secured'together"by a seam, a filler member secured to the inner side of the coversections in a position spanning the seam, the filler member beingprovided with afcutaway portion accommodating thc inturned` edges, aA`patch secured on the inner side of the filler member, the cover, fillermember, and patch, being formed with a hole intersecting the seam, andairintlating bushing secured to the patch in alinement with the hole. y'

3. A playing ball comprising a cover having a. plurality of sections,the edges of adjacent sections being turned inwardly and securedtogether by a seam, a iiller member secured' to the `inner side of the.cover sections in a position spanning the seam, a patch and aniniiating bushing secured thereto, and stitching securing theV patch tothe innerfaceotl the l'ler., the iiller member being channelled on itstace against the cover to accommodate the inturned seam edges.

In testimony whereof I `VaiiixV .my signature.

GEORGE L. PIERCE.

